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Message 2TUCSON64THAnnualConventionTUCSON, AZJULY 24-26, 2025OMNI TUCSONNATIONAL RESORTTWO-STEPPIN’-https://www.multiplesofamerica.org/2025_annualconvention
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert region in the Southwest United States, Tucson has beencontinuously inhabited for more than five thousand years by the Native Americans, including theTohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui, then Spanish explorers and other Europeans. Spanish explorersfounded Presidio San Agustin del Tucson, which became the city of Tucson, on August 20, 1775.welcomewelcome22tucson!tucson!Tucson is just one of 49 cities globally to be recognizedas a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It is one of twoin the U.S., the other being San Antonio, Texas. To be nameda Creative City of Gastronomy, a city must have a vibrantfood community with plenty of traditional restaurants withchefs using locally sourced and heritage ingredients, usinglong-established methods of food preparation. It needs anabundance of food markets, food festivals, farmers markets,and culinary competitions. Tucson cuisine features influencefrom the Indigenous people of the area, Mission-eraMediterranean, Sonoran, and Ranch-style Cowboy food.Multiples of America(aka National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc.)cordially invites you to Two-Step 2 Tucson at our64 Annual Multiples of America Convention th
FlandrauFlandrauScienceSciencePlanetariumPlanetarium&&Kitt Peak National ObservatoryKitt Peak National Observatory Mt. LemmonMt. LemmonSkyCenterSkyCenterCatalina State ParkCatalina State ParkTohono Chul ParkTohono Chul ParkUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of ArizonaMuseum of ArtMuseum of ArtThe Arizona State Museum,University of Arizona Museum of Art,Pima Air & Space Museum, andMini Time Machine Museum of Miniaturesare ideal if you are lookingto stay out of the heat.We’ll have a full itinerary of convention activities, but be sure to take advantageof any free time to experience some of the diverse culture Tucson has to offer.The Multiples of America Annual Convention promises to createunforgettable memories of “Two Steppin’ 2 Tucson.”According to the Tucson Insider’s Guide,there are twelve must-see attractions.Those wanting to experiencethe outdoors can hike inCatalina State Park,Kartchner Caverns,Sabino Canyon,Tohono Chul Park, or Saguaro National Park. Looking for historical architecture?Go to Mission San Xavier Del Bac,St. Augustine Cathedral,Tubac Presidio State Historic Park,or Tumacacori National Historical Park.If science and the stars is whatyou are looking for, head toMt. Lemmon SkyCenter,Flandrau Science & Planetarium,Kitt Peak National Observatory, orMt. Graham International Observatory.Pima AirPima Air&&Space MuseumSpace Museum
Thursday, July 247:00 AM - 8:00 AM Welcome Table8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Arrive at tour busSabino CanyonMuseum of miniatures4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Welcome Table5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner on your own7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Oasis Meet & Greet/Raffles(This event is open to any Multiples of America member.)The Omni Resort ~ Oasis PoolsideMeet & GreetBID(Tour is an added cost; see p.13 for details and scheduleThose not taking the tour will have the day to explore on their own.)The Omni ResortIronwood BallroomOpening Luncheon9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tour: Sabino Canyon & Museum of Miniatures2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Workshops: “When You’re Parched for Positives” “Toe-Tappin’ Research”3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Workshops: “When Life Gets Prickly” “The Art of Seaglass”6:15 PM - 7:15 PM Set up time for Bingo/Silent Auction7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Bingo/Timeless Treasure Silent AuctionFriday, July 258:00 AM – 9:30 AM President MeetUp9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Welcome Table10:00 AM - 11:00 AM First Time Attendees Workshop11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Opening Luncheon & Keynote AddressHotel pictures courtesy ofOmni Hotels & Resorts
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Pick up Credentials8:45 AM - 11:15 AM GENERAL SESSION I11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Polling (if needed)4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Photos5:15 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner on your own 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Two-Steppin’ Line Dance tutorial Music/dancing Ice cream bar Raffles CLOSING CELEBRATIONActivities and times are subject to change.Check back the day Convention begins to verify final assignments for your activities.Saturday, July 262:45 PM - 4:30 PM GENERAL SESSION II & INSTALLATION12:30 PM - 2:00 PM “Multiples Feud” & “Multiples Feud”2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Memorial ServiceRecognition Luncheon
Motherhood is more than a title—it’s a lifelong evolution.In From Sleepless Nights to Self-Rediscovery, NatassiaWilliamson takes us on an authentic, humorous, anddeeply heartfelt exploration of what it means to prioritizemental wellness across every phase of motherhood.Mental Wellness Across the Motherhood JourneyThis keynote touches on:Shifting identity through different seasons of motherhoodThe impact of age, life transitions, and chronic disease on mental healthCoping strategies for burnout, grief, anxiety, and life’s inevitable curveballsThe importance of community, vulnerability, and redefining self beyond motherhoodWhether you're in the fog of newborn life, navigating thechaos of toddler tantrums, raising teens, or entering thegrandmother era, Natassia reflects on the emotional,physical, and psychological transitions mothers facethroughout their lives. She invites attendees to considernot just where they’ve been, but where they are now,as well as where they’re headed—highlighting theimportance of honoring their story and mental healththrough each chapter.Attendees will walk away feeling validated, recharged, and encouraged to care for theirminds and hearts as intentionally as they care for others.Natassia Williamson is a Family Nurse Practitioner, disabled Army veteran, and mom offour, three living. She is the founder of Aurora Maternal & Family Healthcare and servesas the current president of Phoenix Valley Mothers of Multiples. Natassia is also theauthor of ABC D is for Disability, a children’s book celebrating inclusion and disabilityrepresentation, and the voice behind the blog Bottles, Boobs & Feeding Tubes, whereshe shares information about motherhood, chronic illness, and parenting medicallycomplex children.Through her podcast, Reflections of a Rebel Mom, Natassia creates space for moms toembrace their journeys—mess and all—and reminds us that healing doesn’t just happenin therapy rooms, it happens in community. She is passionate about philanthropy andactively collaborates with organizations like Postpartum Support International (PSI),Arizona Black-Owned Business Collective (AZBOC), and 4th Trimester of AZ to plancommunity events and resource drives aimed at uplifting mothers and families in need.
Communication between multiples can be complex.Margot Lewis will provide information about someof the unique communication challenges multiplesnavigate, including identity confusion, competition,and separation anxieties. She will offer ideas to helpparents understand these challenges and supporttheir multiples in developing healthy communicationskills and resolving conflicts effectively. Attendees will learntechniques and tools for improving interpersonal effectivenessin relationships and will join in skill-building exercises that canhelp improve interpersonal communication. Attendees will alsoreceive a communication effectiveness checklist and a way toanalyze problem interactions for use at home.Margot Lewis is a licensedpsychologist, board certified inNeurofeedback, who focuses on theunique needs of multiples. Margot, anidentical twin and affiliate member, is thefounder of Twinsight Therapy, and offerscounseling through telehealth acrossparticipating PSYPACT states.Improve Communication and Resolve Conflictswithin Families with MultiplesThe Art of Sea GlassEnjoy walking on the beach and collecting sea glass?This workshop will teach you how to bring that sea glassto life as you build a nature memory on a 5 X 7 Canvas.This 3-D art project is easy to complete with all suppliesbeing provided (at an additional cost). Your choice of abird-scape or cactus-scape that you can take homeand enjoy for years to come. You create the scene byselecting the sea glass, accessories, and then designingyour masterpiece. An optional shadow box can also bepre-purchased to frame your artwork before headinghome. Join us for an interactive and creative workshopfor all attendees.(Visit the June 2025 Club Helpline in the Publications drop-downof the Members Only section of the Multiples of Americawebsite for a complete outline of the content of this workshop.)
Are you aware that there has been a large uptick in anxiety, depression,and other mental health issues in everyone, including children and teens,since the pandemic? Trying to tell the difference between whatexpected behaviors are and what might be the signs of mental healthissues is not always easy. Awareness is the key to understanding,identifying, and getting treatment. Mental Health Family Awareness Information and PanelPlan to attend this informational and panel session to increase awarenessof mental health issues that may be affecting you, your family, your clubmembers. Feel free to come gather information and maybe share yourthoughts, feelings, and stories with the Family Awareness Panel as wediscuss mental health concerns such as anxiety, postpartum depression,ADHD, and other types of depression disorders.Arizona Twin Study ProjectOur study first started as the Arizona Twin Project, an ongoing longitudinalstudy designed to better understand gene-environment interplay underlyingthe development of risk and resilience to common mental and physical healthproblems during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Since then, we haveexpanded into the Southwest Twin Panel, beginning by welcoming twins inNew Mexico! We run individual, family, neighborhood, and sociocultural levelsof analysis, with an emphasis on sleep, pain, physiological stress processes,mental and physical health, and academic competence. Importantly,our ethnically diverse sample affords the opportunity to considerthe role of culture in the etiology of various child outcomes.Twins are fascinating and have long been studied as a means of deducing the roles of natureand nurture in human development. Identical or monozygotic twins share 100% of their genes.As such, any differences that emerge between them must be the result of differences in theirenvironmental experiences. Fraternal or dizygotic twins, who share only 50% of their genes, serveas an ideal comparison group. By comparing the extent to which identical and fraternal twins resembleone another on certain traits, we can determine the degree to which genetic and environmental factorsinfluence those traits. For example, if identical twins are more similar to one another than fraternal twins,we can conclude that a trait is heritable. Conversely, if fraternal twins are just about as similar to oneanother as identical twins, environmental experiences shared by the twins are implicated. We study twinsresiding across all of Arizona and New Mexico, providing a diverse representation of families livingin the Southwest and capturing important contextual differences.The panel will consist of friends who have experience dealing with these issues.If you are interested in being on the panel, please email info@multiplesofamerica.org.An informational handout will also be available.
This year’s convention philanthropic project will benefit you...our members!In 1960, Marge Ainsworth had a vision of an organization to supportmultiple birth families. That dream became a reality, and she was the firstpresident of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc.Without her dedication and hard work to bring local clubs together fromacross the country and forming new clubs, many of us would not havefound the support and friendships we have had throughout the yearswith our local, state and national connections.Named in her honor, the Marge Ainsworth Scholarship was establishedin 2015 to identify qualified students from multiple birth families,recognize their accomplishments, and help them achieve theirpost-secondary education goals.The EDGE (Enrichment, Development and Growth Endowment) Fund allows for futuregrowth of our organization so we can continue to support our research and educationmission. If you are looking for a great philanthropic endeavor where youcan support thousands of parents and families for years to come, this iswhere your funds can best support that vision. No donation is too small.We welcome individuals as well as organizations to give.Grow your club through an EDGE GrantThe Marge Ainsworth Scholarship Fund&The EDGE Endowmentcreate opportunities for our members that can last a lifetime.Continue your education or let us help in educating your multiples Donations will be collected throughout Convention, or you can present your club’s donation during the General Session!
Where: Sweetwater PoolHosted by: Phoenix Valley Mothers of MultiplesMake sure to include some official Multiples of Americaor convention swag items in your suitcase!Welcome TableLooking for a chance to meet up?Questions about the schedule?Want to chat about volunteering for Multiples of America?Need information about a club or member benefit?So many questions. We’ve got answers and would loveto connect when you stop by the Welcome table.Check the schedule for times.When:Thursday &SaturdayDon’t miss your chance to win! We’ll have gift cards, purses,southwest items, fun items, one-of-a-kind specialties, andsome handmade items. Join in this unique chance to support ourorganization. If you or your club would like to show your supportfor Multiples of America by donating a raffle item (or two),contact Kim Simonich, events@multiplesofamerica.org.Thursday NightGatheringA chance to gather around the pool with other parents of multiples,National Workers, Past Presidents, and your Board of Directors.You’ll meet friends new and old and have somesweet treats provided by the hotel.When: Thursday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmThursday evening: Come ready to mix and mingle poolside,spend time with friends, and cool off following your Tucson day.Thursday touring: Comfortable attire tailored to your day’s plans.If you are headed outside, remember your sunscreen or a hat.
Friday Luncheon:Casual AttireBusiness Meetings:Casual Business Attire,perhaps a light sweater or jacketfor the air-conditioned rooms.Make sure to include some officialMultiples of America or conventionswag items in your suitcase!BIDPresident Mary Adcock invites you to meetup with her and a few other boardmembers for a special club and member shareshop. Share your club’s triumphsand challenges over the past year. Network with other club leaders and members.Discuss ways in which Multiples of America can better support you and your club.You’ll come away with ideas and connections to help you and your clubget up to tempo in the new term.President’s Club and Member Shareshop When: Friday, 8:00 amIf you’ve never been to a Multiples of America convention before or if it has beenseveral years, please be sure to attend our First Time Attendees meetup. You’ll meetboard members and other volunteers and get the inside scoop on what not to missduring convention. Learn all about Multiples of America and what we do for our clubsand members. You will also meet some friendly faces you’ll see throughout yourtime at convention! Come and join us for a fun and informative time!First Time Attendees MeetupWhen: Friday, 10:00 amJoin us as Mary Adcock, President of Multiples of America,kicks off the 64th annual convention. We’ll celebratebeing together in Tucson, Arizona for the first time aswe go two-steppin’. We’ll recognize the volunteers whohave dedicated their time and talents to Multiples of Americaover the past year. We’ll learn about our philanthropicendeavors at convention for the EDGE and Scholarshipfunds. We’ll also hear from our Keynote speaker,Natassia Williamson.Opening Celebration Luncheon and Keynote AddressWhen: Friday, beginningat 11:30 amSalad: house field greens, julienned jicama, roasted tomato, carrot, Green Valley pecans dressed with cucumber vinaigretteLemon & garlic gremolada angel hair, heirloom blistered tomato,farmers market seasonal vegetable, shaved Parmesan Crispy-skin seared airline chicken piccata,Zucchini strands, parsley butterORDessert: Flourless chocolate cake, cajeta caramel, pecan toffee / Stance regular and decaf coffeeJoin us as we play Bingo for prizes.Our silent auction will be filled with specialone-of-a-kind-creations, many of them made byparents of multiples, and other precious items.When: Friday, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pmServing:
“Multiples Feud”Serving: Brush up your dance movesat the dance tutorial withConni Russell and Becky Hames Leidiger!Two-Steppin’ Line Dance TutorialJoin us for a game of Multiples Feud at our Saturday Luncheon,where there will be plenty of conversation and laughs,plus a time of recognition, awards, and even a graduation! Saturday Luncheon:Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pmGet ready to try out your new Two-Steppin’line dance moves that you just learned at ourtutorial so you can party the night away!There will be raffle winners calledintermittently throughout the night.Dance PartyWhen: Saturday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pmJoin us as we pause, reflect,and celebrate the lives of ourmembers, spouses, and childrenwho are no longer with us.When: Saturday,2:00 pm - 2:30 pmHosted by:The Research and Membership Development DepartmentServing:Ice Cream Bar:chocolate & vanilla ice cream,assorted toppings, sauces, and syrupsSalad: house field greens, julienned jicama, roasted tomato,carrot, Green Valley pecans dressed with cucumber vinaigretteLemon & garlic gremolada angel hair, heirloom blistered tomato,farmers market seasonal vegetable, shaved Parmesan Filet of North Atlantic salmon,Mediterranean couscous, eggplant caponataORDessert: New York-style Cheesecake, macerated strawberriesStance regular and decaf coffeeSaturday Luncheon,followed by theMemorial Service:Casual Business AttireSaturday Night Party:“Western Wear” and thebandana you received attoday’s Luncheon
Join us for a day of adventure as we explore Sabino Canyon and the Mini Time MachineMuseum of Miniatures. We will start the day with a crawler tour of Sabino Canyon.Admire towering saguaros, listen for the trickle of Sabino Creek, enjoy the manywildflowers, or watch for glimpses of wildlife activity, from coyotes to mountain lions,hawks to rattlesnakes, and hummingbirds to lizards. We will have 30 minutes in theVisitor’s Center before we head to La Encantada for a lunch (on your own).Tentative Schedule:8:30 am: Meet in lobby to board the Motor Coach9:00 am: Leave Omni Tucson National Resort9:00 am - 9:30 am: Travel to Sabino Canyon10:00 am - 11:00 am: Sabino Canyon Tour on Crawler11:00 am - 11:30 am: Visitor’s Center11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Travel to La Encantada Mall/Restaurant area12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own1:30 pm - 1:45 pm: Travel to Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures1:45 pm - 3:15 pm: Tour the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures with guide3:15 pm - 4:00 pm: Travel back to the Omni Tucson National ResortSabino CanyonMuseum of miniaturesAfter lunch we will head to the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.The permanent collection at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures includes morethan 500 dollhouses and roomboxes, with each one containing dozens, if not hundreds,of miniature objects. An official tour guide will lead us through the collection.At the end of the tour, we will head back to the Omni Tucson National Resortto get ready for the Meet and Greet by the pool.